(1813) Bronze Medal J-NA-7, Lt. William Burrows Restrike

Coin Details

Auction Record

$660 MS64BN 08-23-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

The circa 1813 bronze restrike of the naval medal cataloged as Julian NA-7 honors Lieutenant William Burrows, who was killed in action during the engagement between his brig USS Enterprise and the British brig HMS Boxer on September 5, 1813, off the coast of Maine during the War of 1812. Burrows was mortally wounded early in the battle but refused to be carried below, dying on deck as his ship captured the British vessel. The British commander, Captain Samuel Blyth, was also killed during the engagement, making it one of the rare naval battles where both commanding officers died. The obverse features Burrows's portrait. The reverse carries commemorative imagery of the Enterprise-Boxer engagement. This restrike was produced at a later date from available dies. Congress awarded posthumous gold medals to both Burrows and his first officer, Lieutenant Edward McCall, who took command after Burrows fell and completed the capture of HMS Boxer. The two fallen commanders — Burrows and Blyth — were buried side by side in Portland, Maine with full military honors, in a gesture of mutual respect between the two navies.

Rarity Notes

Bronze restrike produced in limited quantities. The posthumous nature of the award adds historical poignancy.

Cross References

Julian NA-7; PCGS #951060